JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants articles from February 2006

JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants archives from February 2006

AAPA Nominating Committee announces candidates for General Election.(American Academy of Physician Assistants)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... The AAPA Nominating Committee met on December 3, 2005, to review materials submitted by candidates for the 2006 General Election for the AAPA Board of Directors. Four positions are open: president-elect, treasurer, and two directors at large....

AAPA projects a healthy future for the PA profession.(American Academy of Physician Assistants)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Data from AAPA's recently released 2005 Census Survey show continuing strength in the PA profession regarding job growth, adaptation to a rapidly changing health care environment, and income. The first projection is the number of PAs in...

PA Salary Profile may have the answers you need.(physician assistants)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... A Salary Profile is an information tool used by PAs and employers of PAs to answer the question, "How much have PAs, in positions with certain characteristics, earned?" Salary Profiles are descriptive, not prescriptive. AAPA provides them for...

Eliminating health disparities--an opportunity, and an obligation.(Column)
February 1, 2006... "Every day, we are finding better ways to fight disease and untimely death," noted Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona in 2004. (1) "We must ensure that every American can get medical care and treatment. In too many areas, our nation is still...

Avian influenza: what PAs need to know.(physician assistants)(Disease/Disorder overview)
February 1, 2006... Avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infects people infrequently, but when it does the mortality rate is high. As of January 14, 2006, 148 human cases of avian influenza, with 79 deaths, had been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). (1)...

General practice in the UK's National Health Service.(Column)
February 1, 2006... There is increasing interest in the recruitment of US-trained PAs to work within the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland). The UK, like many countries, suffers from inequitable...

Primary care management of dysfunctional uterine bleeding: hormonal abnormalities are the most frequent cause of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, which may be acute or chronic, severe or mild, ovulatory or anovulatory. Treatment is tailored to the patient's needs and preferences.(Disease/Disorder overview)(Cover story)
February 1, 2006... Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) without an organic cause. Before diagnosing DUB, the clinician should rule out such causes, including pregnancy, tumor, infection, coagulopathy, and pelvic or systemic...

Asthma: challenges in vulnerable populations: the numbers are frightening--asthma affects approximately 21 million adults and 6.3 million children in this country. The lower the socioeconomic level, the higher the prevalence of asthma--and the higher the morbidity and mortality.(Disease/Disorder overview)
February 1, 2006... According to AAPA's 2005 census report, PAs were involved in approximately 11.6 million asthma visits, an increase of almost 20% from 2003. PAs are being asked to take on more of the burden of chronic disease care, and to do so in less time....

CME post-test.
February 1, 2006... EXPIRATION DATE FEBRUARY 2007 AAPA members: Please take this CME post-test online at www.aapa.org. Walden MS. Primary care management of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. JAAPA. 2006;19(2):32-39. Madrid E, Mennie GW, Newton PL....

Subcutaneous emphysema in a 61-year-old man: subcutaneous emphysema can have many different causes--a challenge because a precise diagnosis and correction of underlying pathology are required for proper treatment.(Disease/Disorder overview)(Case study)
February 1, 2006... A 61-year-old black man arrived at the emergency department complaining of right-sided chest pain, dyspnea, and cough over the prior 12 hours. He described the pain as constant and nonradiating. He denied vomiting, chills, sore throat, and...

A common--and correctable--cause of infertility in women.(DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING REVIEW: Interpreting clinical images)(Medical condition overview)
February 1, 2006... CASE The patient is a 36-year-old Hispanic woman who has been infertile for several years and who desires pregnancy. She has one 14-year-old daughter. The results of her full laboratory workup and physical examination are both essentially...

A condition that is more than skin deep.(deep fungal infections)(Disease/Disorder overview)
February 1, 2006... The primary care provider for an 81-year-old man recently referred him to the dermatology department for evaluation of a leg rash. The lesions, which were minimally symptomatic, had been present for several weeks but had been growing in size...

Uterine artery embolization to treat fibroids usually successful.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2006... Clinical question What are the long-term outcomes for uterine artery embolization to treat uterine fibroids? Bottom line Uterine embolization for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids has a long-term success rate of 75% over the 5...

Topical tretinoin may hasten healing of diabetic ulcers.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(Brief article)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2006... Clinical question Does brief daily application of tretinoin improve healing in diabetic foot ulcers? Bottom line This small study provides some support for a daily 10-minute application of 0.05% topical tretinoin to diabetic ulcers. (Level...

Gargling with water reduces risk of colds.(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(Brief article)(Clinical report)
February 1, 2006... Clinical question Is gargling with water or povidone-iodine effective in preventing upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)? Bottom line Gargling with water effectively reduces the risk of developing an URTI. Nine individuals will need...

Dyspepsia management guideline (ACG).(Patient-oriented evidence that matters)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Clinical question What is the best approach to managing dyspepsia? Bottom line This evidence-based guideline (see synopsis) summarizes the best approach to the evaluation and treatment of patients with dyspepsia, defined as chronic or...

CME calendar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2006... ARIZONA March 29-April 1 Spring Primary Care Conference. Where: Sedona. Provider: Arizona State Association of PAs. Information: www. asapa.org. April 10-13 PANCE Preparation Course 2006. Where: Glendale. Provider: Midwestem...

PAs in dermatology.(physician assistants)
February 1, 2006... PAs in dermatology are on the political front line, actively involved in several important issues that could have an impact on PAs working in other specialties. * The AAPA liaison to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and AAPA staff...

PAs in geriatric medicine.(physician assistants)
February 1, 2006... PAs in geriatric medicine will be in great demand in the coming years, as the first members of the Baby Boom generation begin to retire. Seniors see physician assistants as trusted providers of the preventive services now available under...

Case of the month: diagnostic challenges from your case files.(pigmented melanoma)(Disease/Disorder overview)(Case study)
February 1, 2006... CASE The patient is an 80-year-old white man who was referred by his primary care physician to the orthopedic surgery clinic at the end of December 2003 for evaluation and treatment of his right thumbnail, which was splitting and...